Disc Brake/ Split rim wheel conversion-how?

[mcmullinauctions]

How do I do a disk brake conversion on a 1961 c-30 1 ton dually? I would even change the entire front crossmember if the 73-87 model would fit...anyone know? Also, does anyone know the bolt pattern for these old wheels and what year wheels interchange. I am 40 miles away from where my truck sits. I would love to keep the original 20 inch split rims but cannot find anyone to convert them to 1 piece tubless style wheel. Thanks for the help!

[Hottrucks]

2 piece wheels are illlegal so good luck finding someone to mount a tire on them..you can run any late model wheel up to about 97 wheel .....unless your thinking of making it a 1/2 ton as far a front end go there will be a lot of choices

[mcmullinauctions]

[2 piece wheels are illlegal so good luck finding someone to mount a tire on them..you can run any late model wheel up to about 97 wheel .....unless your thinking of making it a 1/2 ton as far a front end go there will be a lot of choices ]


I want to keep it a 1 ton dually. I am going to put a long fleet bed and stepside style fenders on it. Factory stance or maybe a 2 or 4 inch drop. I am going with a diesel (453-t detroit or 3208 cat) and an allison hopefully. Split rims are still legal here in Missouri as I see some older trucks still running them. I have no problem changing the tires on a split rim, I just would like the looks and convenience of a smooth lip to change on. Because of engine weight I will need to find new front coils regardless...anyone know a company that sells them. I think a 3208 cat weighs close to 1850lbs fully dressed if I am not mistaken.

[Hottrucks]

I would look for a late 90's cummings out of a dodge pick up and use that driveline ( motor,trans and rear) the 3208 is a bag engine even if you could find a 3208T...the dodge has the ols style pump which doesn't require the electronics....

as far as the wheels I would ditch the splits for so many reasons...then find a front end out of a late modle dually ( 80's) and slide that under the truck then you can put a set of drop springs under it or a set of air bags ( weight isn't an issue with bags)

this would give you everything you want .....and the wheel bolt pattern will be the same so finding rims will be easy

[Captainfab]

I would imagine that the wheel bolt pattern would be 8 x 6.5 but I can't say for sure. I know on my '66 C30 that is what it was originally. To convert to discs up front, you can use any C30 front suspension from '71-'87 and certain C30's up thru '91. I would switch the whole suspension, crossmember and all. Since you're converting to a diesel you might want to consider looking at what gear ratio you have in the rear.

[62gmc910]

The old school tall skinny splits like on your avatar are 700-18 if those are the wheels you are talking about they will fit the 73-87 disc hub but you need to ream the lug holes out to 9/16 .and as to your choice of engines, both are heavy the 3208 is junk,not worth 10 cents a pound how they ever got past R&D is a mystery, the baby detroit you may as well get a 4-71 tit is about 30 pounds heavier or better yet a 5.9 6BT 12 valve cummins or a 6.5T chev or a 7.3T international any of those engines are lighter and more fuel efficient .You can get 8-19.5 tubeless tires /wheels that were made for motor homes to get the same dimensions and these are built for the later hubs

[blackedoutharley]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

2 piece wheels are illlegal so good luck finding someone to mount a tire on them..you can run any late model wheel up to about 97 wheel .....

After being in the tire biz for nearly 25 years with a huge emphasis on large trucks I have to ask where you heard this from?

The fact is that split rims were discontinued for fitment in OE application many years ago.. This was a result of not only many lawsuits against the wheel mfg's (due to the stupidity of some that didn't know what they were doing while mounting tires) but also that tubeless tire technology had advanced enough that tube type tires (as used in split rim applications) were not needed any longer to maintain the load carrying capabilities of a tire.

Basically it is not true; split rims are a pain because not many places have the staff capable of safely working on them. It is legal to have them, repair them (replace tires and tubes that is) and drive on them (unless NH has some law that I was unaware of and unable to find on the internet).

Originally Posted by 62gmc910

You can get 8-19.5 tubeless tires /wheels that were made for motor homes to get the same dimensions and these are built for the later hubs

Almost every late model motorhome fitted with 19.5" wheels will be a 10 lug fitment. All of the Chevy, Ford and Dodge duallies though the late 80's were in fact 8 on 6.5" bolt circle. As an alternative on a '61 (if you are able to find wheels that fit) I would suggest 245/70R19.5 (common tow truck fitment) or even a 255/70R19.5 (depending on clearance). This tire is widely available from almost every tire mfg where the 8R19.5 is becoming somewhat obsolete.

Just as important as tire load capacity is the load capacity of the wheel... pay attention to this especially if you end up popping for a set of aftermarket alloy wheels.

As far as changing out the crossmember..... doesn't a '61 have torsion bars (I know the half tons do but don't know about the C-30)?

[Hottrucks]

BoH...I found out in the FMVC standard 103...address's split rims and the manufactureing of them after Jan 1 1968..most of the split rim designs where made by Firestone ( why does that noyt surprize me) the cost to replace them all would have been outragious so the comprimized and decide to let them faze themself out..

What I did find is tat running them up from is Illegal according to the DOT along wit running recaps...
I'm going o do some more looking we where both 1/2 right???

this subject has been brought up alot by 4X4 guys who are running bead lock wheels and the PoPo are giving them crap for multi piece wheels

[62gmc910]

Originally Posted by blackedoutharley

After being in the tire biz for nearly 25 years with a huge emphasis on large trucks I have to ask where you heard this from?

The fact is that split rims were discontinued for fitment in OE application many years ago.. This was a result of not only many lawsuits against the wheel mfg's (due to the stupidity of some that didn't know what they were doing while mounting tires) but also that tubeless tire technology had advanced enough that tube type tires (as used in split rim applications) were not needed any longer to maintain the load carrying capabilities of a tire.

Basically it is not true; split rims are a pain because not many places have the staff capable of safely working on them. It is legal to have them, repair them (replace tires and tubes that is) and drive on them (unless NH has some law that I was unaware of and unable to find on the internet).




Almost every late model motorhome fitted with 19.5" wheels will be a 10 lug fitment. All of the Chevy, Ford and Dodge duallies though the late 80's were in fact 8 on 6.5" bolt circle. As an alternative on a '61 (if you are able to find wheels that fit) I would suggest 245/70R19.5 (common tow truck fitment) or even a 255/70R19.5 (depending on clearance). This tire is widely available from almost every tire mfg where the 8R19.5 is becoming somewhat obsolete.

Just as important as tire load capacity is the load capacity of the wheel... pay attention to this especially if you end up popping for a set of aftermarket alloy wheels.

As far as changing out the crossmember..... doesn't a '61 have torsion bars (I know the half tons do but don't know about the C-30)?

C 30 were torsion , In fact torsion bar suspension was avaaliable thru 80 series 60-62, then patent wars put an end to that. The coil cross member fits with some drilling